Combination Squares - quality brands?

So I have known for a while that I need a decent combination square. Right now all I have is a 4” try square (from Rockler I think) and a couple of 90 degree angles that I got from estate sales.

I was watching a boxmaking DVD and the person was using a Starett brand combination square to check a 45 degree miter. I looked them up online. WOAH they are expensive. But I know, quality tools bear a high price for the accuracy involved.

My questions – are there any quality brands other than Starett that I should be looking at? I see that Starett also makes a center head; do you have one and do you find it useful?

What length of rule do you find most useful for a combination square? I am mostly going to be making smallish projects that can be manipulated by one person, not huge items of furniture.

43 replies so far

I don’t know that brand is so important, but there are some key features I like. -Etched ruler, rather than a coarsely stamped one.-Markings in a gradation you can read, usually 16ths or 32nds -Locking knob that operates smoothly and stays put

I have 4”, 6”, and 12” combination squares. The 12” version is useful for marking mortises on 4 legs at once, but the 6” is a better all around tool because it fits in a shop apron.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush

The question you have to ask….Am I going to keep woodworking or is it just a passing fad. If you plan to keep on keeping on the Starrett is a bargain. You will buy it once, unless abused it will be accurate and last your life and likely your grandchildren’s life. I would start with the 12” because it will do everything the smaller one does plus. Then later add the 6” or even the 4”, with both you will use the 6” more but it is limited where the 12’ isn’t.

Bubba – great question. I’ve wanted to do woodworking since middle school shop. Got my first tools about twelve years ago (mini lathe and scroll saw) but had to sell them when I went overseas. I’m back now and have spent the last five years kitting out a woodshop and I plan to stay in this house until I’m too old to safely use the machines anymore. So I am pretty sure I’m in it for the long haul.

I wouldn’t make a big deal of it. I have one I gotat harbor freight. There are little tabs you can fileto adjust a combination square. I did this onceon the cheap square and it’s accurate enough for woodworking.

What you get with a Starrett or other pro machinestbrand square is a real nice ruler part. Keep youreye on estate sales and things and you’ll findall the machinest layout tools you want eventually,often for a buck or two a piece.

Also you can look on ebay for Starrett and otherold brands. Even under years of tarnish on theruler part you’ll be able to recognize finely engravedmarkings and that’s often the sign of quality. Anythingwith a Japanese or German sounding maker nameon it is likely to be high quality. Brown & Sharpeis another good maker.

Lee Valley tools is a good source for accurate layouttools. They don’t have the low prices they used tohave but the quality is always good from them andthey will never jerk you around if a product doesn’tmeet your needs.

I have a Starrett and Mitutoyo at home. I bought the grizzly combination square four piece set for work five years ago and actually like it better than the Starrett. It was only $40 at the time. Plus it’s a four piece set with the circle center finder and angle gauge.

A combination square is the Swiss army knife of marking and measuring tools. It’s a ruler, straight edge, T-square, try-square, miter square, depth gauge, parallel gauge, square/miter fence/block and optionally a level. Everyone should have one.

How much you spend on one is up to you. If you like high quality tools or worry about accuracy, get an expensive one like Starrett or Browne and Sharpe. or get a mid quality/priced one like PEC.

Personally, although I like quality tools, a combination square is one of my most used and abused tools. So I went for the cheaper but good and accurate enough for me, Empire combination squares. I have the 6”, 12” and 16” sizes, of which I use the 12” the most. The scales on the ones I have (not from Home Depot) are 16ths, 32nds and millimeters. The blades (ruler) are etched stainless steel, the anvils (head) are zinc (or zinc alloy) in case one gets wet (I really do abuse them). They come with levels and the rarely used scribe. Also they are cheap enough, that it won’t break the bank should one get ruined.

I have an Empire, Starret, and a Brown and Sharp. The Empire is in my truck and now used the most. The Starret is going into my new shop tool cabinet along with the center head (which I never use). The Brown and Sharp is heavy built but slightly out of square and stays by my wood lathe.

The empire seems fine but I don’t think it will last as long as the Starret. The little nub on the locking bolt wore out and Starret sent me another. It fit perfectly and I am the second owner so it’s pretty old.